The Two-Way

8:47 am

Fri October 14, 2011

Death Toll In Syria Exceeds 3,000, UN Says

Saying that the government's uses of "excessive force to crush peaceful protests" has led to a "devastatingly remorseless toll of human lives," the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights reported today that more than 3,000 people have now died because of the violence in Syria in recent months.

And at least 187 of the fatalities were children, Commissioner Navi Pillay added.

"The Government of Syria has manifestly failed to protect its population. Furthermore, it has ignored the international community's calls to cooperate with international investigations," Pillay also said in a statement released by her office.

Despite reports from residents, protesters, human rights activists and others about the Assad regime's harsh crackdown, the government has insisted it is battling violent insurgents and wants to have a "national dialogue" about reform.

As Eyder reported Thursday, leaders in the Gulf States have called on the Arab League to meet about the "dire" situation in Syria.